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Emirati High School students, teachers study semiconductors in Singapore as part of "High Tech" week

Abu Dhabi 30 November 2010: A group of high school students and teachers are in Singapore this week on a program aimed at nurturing the talent and potential of the next generation of Emirati technology pioneers and innovators. The week-long program is sponsored by the Advanced Technology Investment Company ( ATIC ); the SEMI Foundation, an arm of the global semiconductor industry association; and Applied Materials Inc, one of the world's largest semiconductor equipment manufacturers.

Taking part in the SEMI "High Tech U" program are grade 11 and 12 students from across Abu Dhabi who were specially selected on the basis of recommendations from their high schools. The course will introduce the students to the advanced technology industry, stimulate their interest and showcase the fun and experimental side of microelectronics. Across three days of activities, the students will participate in a series of lectures, hands-on workshops and experiments that demonstrate semiconductor manufacturing concepts and explain microchip logic. Activities are taking place at the site of ATIC 's portfolio company GLOBALFOUNDRIES.

The students are being accompanied to Singapore by their parents and a group of teachers who also participated in a program of activities aimed at improving their awareness of the advanced technology and semiconductor industry. For parents, it is an opportunity to engage in understanding the strategically important advanced technology industry and understand the role their children can play in the industry's development in Abu Dhabi. For teachers the program will expand their knowledge and ensure the key learnings from the High Tech U experience can be transferred into their classrooms back in Abu Dhabi.

Sami Issa, ATIC Executive Director of Abu Dhabi Ecosystem Development, said: "Establishing a thriving research and innovation advanced technology ecosystem in Abu Dhabi relies on the commitment of a highly skilled and well-rounded workforce. SEMI High Tech U is an important component in ATIC 's strategy towards investing in the development the talent of the future that will bring the ecosystem to life. We are delighted to be collaborating with SEMI and Applied Materials Inc. in order to make this fantastic experience available to students from the Middle East for the very first time."

"We are pleased to support ATIC and their mission to educate, excite and inspire young people to learn about the semiconductor industry. Students who go through the HTU program now understand the relationship between the math and science they currently take in school and real world applications. Because HTU is taught by industry instructors, students have a unique opportunity to learn about the industry from people who work in industry and who are willing to share their academic and career paths. The HTU programs gives students a once in a life time experience bringing together industry and academia, giving students an opportunity to envision what they could do in the future," Lisa Anderson, Vice President, SEMI Foundation.

"Applied Materials is committed to supporting the education of next generation technologist and developing a skilled labor force to address the expanding needs of the semiconductor industry," said Mr Russell Tham, President of Applied Materials South East Asia. "By providing young people the chance to explore new ideas and opportunities through a hands-on approach within the industry, we hope to inspire and excite youths about future opportunities in science and technology."

Founded by the non-profit SEMI Foundation, SEMI High Tech U is a globally established program that has inspired more than 3000 students over the last decade. Thanks to the collaboration between SEMI High Tech U, ATIC and Applied Materials, this is the first time students from the Middle East have participated in the project. High Tech U aims to provide world-class learning opportunities for young scientists to interact and take advantage of the opportunity to gain first-hand experience from some of the leaders in the semiconductor industry.

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About ATIC
The Advanced Technology Investment Company ( ATIC ) was created in 2008. A technology investment company wholly owned by the Government of Abu Dhabi, ATIC is focused on making significant investments in the advanced technology sector, both locally and internationally. Its mandate is to generate returns that deliver long-term benefits to the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.

ATIC seeks to leverage the unique advantages it enjoys as an investor from the Emirate of Abu Dhabi to identify and realize long-term investment opportunities in the highly competitive and capital-intensive advanced technology sector. These advantages include significant and reliable capital, a patient investment philosophy, and a subsequently long-term investment horizon.

For more information about ATIC visit www.advancedtechnologyic.com

About SEMI and the SEMI Foundation
The non-profit SEMI Foundation was established in 2001 to encourage students to stay in school; take math, science and technology courses; and see that they can have a bright future in the microelectronics industry. The Foundation accomplishes its mission through several workforce development initiatives, including the "High Tech U" for high school students, "High Tech U Teacher Edition" and educational scholarships. The Foundation has embarked on an ambitious strategic plan to introduce the beneficial programs to semiconductor manufacturing regions within Asia and Europe, while continuing to expand the program in the U.S.

SEMI is a global industry association serving companies that provide equipment, materials and services used to manufacture semiconductors, displays, nano-scaled structures, micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) and related technologies. SEMI maintains offices in Bangalore, Beijing, Berlin, Brussels, Hsinchu, Moscow, San Jose (Calif.), Seoul, Shanghai, Singapore, Tokyo and Washington, D.C. For more information, visit www.semi.org.

For more information:
Houssam KablawiEdelman
Tel: +971 50 4415126
e-mail: houssam.kablawi@edelman.com

© Press Release 2010

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